Argentina snatch historic win in Brazil as Nunez keeps Uruguay flying

Brazil’s distinction of having never lost a home FIFA World Cup qualifier was abolished by their fiercest rivals at the Maracana.

A bullet header from Nicolas Otamendi settled a spicy Superclásico in Argenina’s favour – one that kept them top.

Uruguay stayed two points off the pace by coasting to victory over Bolivia, Darwin Nunez once again their hero. Elsewhere, Rafael Santos Borre and Angel Mena proved the match-winners for Colombia and Ecuador respectively, while Peru and Venezuela shared the spoils.

Colombia consolidated third spot and ensured Paraguay stayed seventh – the FIFA Play-Off Tournament position – by doing just enough at a happy hunting ground. Rafael Santos Borre’s early penalty broke the deadlock and Los Cafeteros controlled the game for large parts thereafter, James Rodriguez hitting the woodwork. The late introduction of 40-year-old Oscar Cardozo injected some life into Paraguay, but Colombia held on for a huge victory.

Manchester United and Liverpool may be arch-rivals, but Facundo Pellistri and Darwin Nunez were in synch for the opener, the former’s cross volleyed home by the latter. Following an own-goal, Nunez got his second, this time courtesy of a canny headed assist by another on-song Uruguayan in Nicolas de la Cruz. Luis Suarez rose from the bench for his first appearance under ‘El Loco’ Bielsa, and though he hit the crossbar, it was another man everyone went home talking about. Is there a better South American striker than Nunez?

Angel Mena’s first international goal in over two years proved sufficient to secure injury-stricken Ecuador victory over Chile. The result moved La Tri above Brazil and into fifth, and left La Roja down in eighth.

Argentina beat Brazil in the last Copa America final at the Maracana, and tonight inflicted their arch-rivals’ first-ever home loss in a World Cup preliminary at the same venue. Nicolas Otamendi’s thumping header proved the difference in an ill-tempered clash in which Joelinton was sent off. It kept the Albiceleste in pole position and dropped the Seleção, with just one point from their last four outings, to sixth.

Jefferson Savarino denied Peru a maiden victory and kept Venezuela in fourth. A superb header from Yoshimar Yotun, on what was a milestone night for him, put La Blanquirroja, before a fine Rafael Romo save kept La Vinotinto in the contest. Following excellent work down the right from Darwin Machis, Savarino slid home the equaliser in the second half.

(Inputs from FIFA)